Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

BARBER, Chris

(b 17 April '30, Welwyn Garden City, Herts) Trombone, leader. Own band briefly '50; joined Ken Colyer band, took it over '54. First UK combo to appear on Ed Sullivan's TV show in USA '59. Three singles charted during trad fad in UK '59--62; 'Petite Fleur' reaching no. 3, no. 5 in USA. Ironically Barber did not play on solo vehicle for clarinettist Monty Sunshine, who used pretty vibrato similar to that of song's composer (in '52) Sidney Bechet, but some ears say that Sunshine's vibrato was close to that of saxophone pioneer Boyd Senter (b 1899 in Nebraska). Sunshine (b 8 April '28, London) and Barber played in films incl. Look Back In Anger '59. Among dozens of albums, guests include Colyer, Lonnie Donegan, Dr John (see Mac Rebbenack).